Sunday, December 19, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Happy One Week Young Birthday, Josiah!
We cannot believe that our precious Josiah is one week old today! Time flies....
We continue to be overwhelmed with God's goodness and blessings in our life! I know that I have not written the details of Josiah's birth yet...I promise, I will! At this point, I figure it is more important for me to attend to the needs of my boys and trust that God will provide the time to tell you all the amazing details soon! Wanted to at least update you with pictures!!
Thank you again for all your prayers, love, encouragement, and support.
The Lord God Almighty has heard and answered in MIGHTY ways!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
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Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Almost Time...
*whew*
What an exciting time in the Cain house! We have been on pins and needles, waiting to hear from Briana about laboring beginning or news from her doctor regarding an induction. At 11:00am, Briana called and said that her doctor has scheduled her to be induced into labor tomorrow morning (Wednesday, September 15) at 4:00am. EARLY CALL TIME! Not that we would be able to sleep anyway...!!!
Lord-willing, we will be able to meet this new little person sometime tomorrow! AHHHH! What a mighty God we serve. His plans are perfect as is His timing!
We cannot wait to share more...but for now, we wait just a little while longer.
=)
Thank you for your prayers. Keep 'em comin'!!!!
What an exciting time in the Cain house! We have been on pins and needles, waiting to hear from Briana about laboring beginning or news from her doctor regarding an induction. At 11:00am, Briana called and said that her doctor has scheduled her to be induced into labor tomorrow morning (Wednesday, September 15) at 4:00am. EARLY CALL TIME! Not that we would be able to sleep anyway...!!!
Lord-willing, we will be able to meet this new little person sometime tomorrow! AHHHH! What a mighty God we serve. His plans are perfect as is His timing!
We cannot wait to share more...but for now, we wait just a little while longer.
=)
Thank you for your prayers. Keep 'em comin'!!!!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Lord-Willing...
I feel like we're in that phase where we say "Lord-willing" at the end of every sentence.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lord-willing."
"Lord-willing, the baby will be born within the next week."
"If the Lord wills it, we will bring our new family member home soon!"
This part of our adoption journey is probably the most surreal...to be truly so close and yet potentially so far away. The promise of Psalm 33 is in the forefront of our mind right now:
Tomorrow, September 8, is the baby's due date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Briana (the birthmom) had another check up with her doctor today. Both she and the baby are doing well...no big "labor indicators" as of yet! We've got all our hospital plans in order, though, so we'll be ready to leave for San Jose at a moment's notice.
And yes, I may be a bit obsessive about checking my phone right now.
I don't want to miss the call!!!
Ok...I'm having a hard time balancing out the "check the phone every 5 minutes in case I missed something." But give me a break: we've been waiting and working and praying for this child for 2 years! =)
So what's next?
*Briana goes into labor and calls us.
*We head to the hospital ASAP. Since San Jose is 3 hours-ish away, we may or may not make it to the hospital for the delivery (depending on when she chooses to call/text us and how fast Ben drives there...). Either way, it will only be Briana and her mom (Thea) in the actual delivery room.
*Bethany Christian Services has notified the hospital that we (the adoptive parents) will be there and some of the "special" needs we may have...such as: the hospital social worker's presence at discharge, extra security bracelets so that we can have access to the baby in the nursery, etc.
*When Briana is discharged from the hospital, the first round of paperwork will be signed. These are essentially papers that enter the baby into foster care through Bethany, designate us as the foster parents of choice, and allow us to leave the hospital with the baby (AHHHHHHHHHHHH!).
*Bethany Christian Services Pregnancy Counselor typically meets with the birthmom within a week after discharge to sign the actual relinquishment papers. She will also need to meet with the birthfather (who isn't overly involved in our case) to have him sign relinquishments. As you can imagine, the time between leaving the hospital as foster parents and receiving confirmation from the state about relinquishments is a high-risk period for us. (This is part of the reason why we've decided to wait until October to host a baby shower/open house).
*Once we receive the confirmation that relinquishments have been processed by the state and birth-parental rights have been terminated, we actually get to submit all OUR paperwork to the state to adopt this little one!! Finalization takes place about a year later and will be confirmed at our local court in Placerville!!
How can you pray and encourage everyone involved?
*Peace. For Briana and her family. For us and our family.
*Safety. For the baby and Briana. For us as we (furiously) drive to San Jose and back. For our precious Ethan as he stays with Mimi and Papa while we are at the hospital!
*Grace. With the hospital being a potentially high-stress time, we are desperately praying for the Lord to grant us supernatural amounts of grace to bestow upon Briana and her family...especially as we "wait our turn" with the new baby.
*Health. All the way around!
We have seen God's perfect timing in every area of our life: our marriage, the birth of Ethan, moving into our home, meeting Briana, etc. His will is perfect and we are honored to be used by Him to glorify His matchless name! AMEN!
"I'll see you tomorrow, Lord-willing."
"Lord-willing, the baby will be born within the next week."
"If the Lord wills it, we will bring our new family member home soon!"
This part of our adoption journey is probably the most surreal...to be truly so close and yet potentially so far away. The promise of Psalm 33 is in the forefront of our mind right now:
"Behold, the eye of the Lord in on those who fear Him,
on those who hope for His lovingkindness...
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart rejoices in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.
Let Your lovingkindness, O Lord, be upon us,
according as we have hoped in You."
Tomorrow, September 8, is the baby's due date!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Briana (the birthmom) had another check up with her doctor today. Both she and the baby are doing well...no big "labor indicators" as of yet! We've got all our hospital plans in order, though, so we'll be ready to leave for San Jose at a moment's notice.
And yes, I may be a bit obsessive about checking my phone right now.
I don't want to miss the call!!!
Ok...I'm having a hard time balancing out the "check the phone every 5 minutes in case I missed something." But give me a break: we've been waiting and working and praying for this child for 2 years! =)
So what's next?
*Briana goes into labor and calls us.
*We head to the hospital ASAP. Since San Jose is 3 hours-ish away, we may or may not make it to the hospital for the delivery (depending on when she chooses to call/text us and how fast Ben drives there...). Either way, it will only be Briana and her mom (Thea) in the actual delivery room.
*Bethany Christian Services has notified the hospital that we (the adoptive parents) will be there and some of the "special" needs we may have...such as: the hospital social worker's presence at discharge, extra security bracelets so that we can have access to the baby in the nursery, etc.
*When Briana is discharged from the hospital, the first round of paperwork will be signed. These are essentially papers that enter the baby into foster care through Bethany, designate us as the foster parents of choice, and allow us to leave the hospital with the baby (AHHHHHHHHHHHH!).
*Bethany Christian Services Pregnancy Counselor typically meets with the birthmom within a week after discharge to sign the actual relinquishment papers. She will also need to meet with the birthfather (who isn't overly involved in our case) to have him sign relinquishments. As you can imagine, the time between leaving the hospital as foster parents and receiving confirmation from the state about relinquishments is a high-risk period for us. (This is part of the reason why we've decided to wait until October to host a baby shower/open house).
*Once we receive the confirmation that relinquishments have been processed by the state and birth-parental rights have been terminated, we actually get to submit all OUR paperwork to the state to adopt this little one!! Finalization takes place about a year later and will be confirmed at our local court in Placerville!!
How can you pray and encourage everyone involved?
*Peace. For Briana and her family. For us and our family.
*Safety. For the baby and Briana. For us as we (furiously) drive to San Jose and back. For our precious Ethan as he stays with Mimi and Papa while we are at the hospital!
*Grace. With the hospital being a potentially high-stress time, we are desperately praying for the Lord to grant us supernatural amounts of grace to bestow upon Briana and her family...especially as we "wait our turn" with the new baby.
*Health. All the way around!
We have seen God's perfect timing in every area of our life: our marriage, the birth of Ethan, moving into our home, meeting Briana, etc. His will is perfect and we are honored to be used by Him to glorify His matchless name! AMEN!
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Details! Details!
We are still so excited.
Really excited.
Just in case you were wondering.
We are.
Still.
Excited.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an amazing time for our family! We just walked in the door after spending the afternoon in San Jose with Briana. Today's meeting was a bit more "formal" because we actually had some "business" to discuss, but it was also really relaxed and enjoyable.
Some of the highlights of our time together:
*We were able to meet Briana's two youngest siblings. So cute. Really friendly and excited to meet us.
*Thea, Briana's mom, was at the meeting again. We enjoy getting to know her better. She is so open and warm with us. Makes everything nicer!
*Talked through birth and hospital plans. Ben and I will most likely not be in the delivery room (just Briana and her mom at this point), but will be welcome at the hospital otherwise. Briana will call us when labor is regular/heading to the hospital so we can drive the 3 hours to San Jose and be there ASAP.
*Briana is going to breastfeed AND continue to pump and ship breastmilk as long as she can!!!!!! This is especially exciting to me (Ashley) as I was scrambling to learn about formula.... AND a really amazing way for Briana to continue to show her love for this child! Since I still have our top of the line breast pump from Ethan's birth (thanks, GJohn and Grammie!), we will be able to let Briana borrow it! Great provisions all around, right?!
*Talked generally about our open adoption plan. This will be interesting since Briana is planning on enlisting in the Navy in March 2011. We are very much on the same page, however...2 visits a year and monthly updates via email including pictures. Obviously, this agreement is not written in stone, but will be something with which we are flexible. The big thing is to keep open communication for the sake of this new child!!
*Had a really nice Italian dinner after the meeting with Briana and her family. Just enjoyed visiting and learning more about each other. A very blessed time enjoying each other's company!
Thank you for your prayers. We feel a very tangible wall of protection and peace around us. We are so very thankful for your encouragement and support....the Lord is faithful in answering our requests! A few specifics to pray for:
*Briana in her last few weeks of pregnancy. REST and good health. Her last Dr's appointment was on Monday...everything was normal and healthy! Praise the Lord!
*Patience as we wait and try to focus on the tasks the Lord has for us NOW.
*Open, honest, and loving communication between us, our families, Briana, and her family. There are a lot people involved/invested in this new little life!!!
*Emotional protection...especially at the hospital.
*Stress levels...*whew* Happy stress is still stress!
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious to you, that He may be exalted, and that He may have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of judgment; blessed are they that wait for Him!
Really excited.
Just in case you were wondering.
We are.
Still.
Excited.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an amazing time for our family! We just walked in the door after spending the afternoon in San Jose with Briana. Today's meeting was a bit more "formal" because we actually had some "business" to discuss, but it was also really relaxed and enjoyable.
Some of the highlights of our time together:
*We were able to meet Briana's two youngest siblings. So cute. Really friendly and excited to meet us.
*Thea, Briana's mom, was at the meeting again. We enjoy getting to know her better. She is so open and warm with us. Makes everything nicer!
*Talked through birth and hospital plans. Ben and I will most likely not be in the delivery room (just Briana and her mom at this point), but will be welcome at the hospital otherwise. Briana will call us when labor is regular/heading to the hospital so we can drive the 3 hours to San Jose and be there ASAP.
*Briana is going to breastfeed AND continue to pump and ship breastmilk as long as she can!!!!!! This is especially exciting to me (Ashley) as I was scrambling to learn about formula.... AND a really amazing way for Briana to continue to show her love for this child! Since I still have our top of the line breast pump from Ethan's birth (thanks, GJohn and Grammie!), we will be able to let Briana borrow it! Great provisions all around, right?!
*Talked generally about our open adoption plan. This will be interesting since Briana is planning on enlisting in the Navy in March 2011. We are very much on the same page, however...2 visits a year and monthly updates via email including pictures. Obviously, this agreement is not written in stone, but will be something with which we are flexible. The big thing is to keep open communication for the sake of this new child!!
*Had a really nice Italian dinner after the meeting with Briana and her family. Just enjoyed visiting and learning more about each other. A very blessed time enjoying each other's company!
Thank you for your prayers. We feel a very tangible wall of protection and peace around us. We are so very thankful for your encouragement and support....the Lord is faithful in answering our requests! A few specifics to pray for:
*Briana in her last few weeks of pregnancy. REST and good health. Her last Dr's appointment was on Monday...everything was normal and healthy! Praise the Lord!
*Patience as we wait and try to focus on the tasks the Lord has for us NOW.
*Open, honest, and loving communication between us, our families, Briana, and her family. There are a lot people involved/invested in this new little life!!!
*Emotional protection...especially at the hospital.
*Stress levels...*whew* Happy stress is still stress!
Isaiah 30:18
Therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious to you, that He may be exalted, and that He may have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of judgment; blessed are they that wait for Him!
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